AS the COVID-19 pandemic upended industries and left many with out secure revenue, one Jamaican entrepreneur turned adversity into alternative by venturing into rug manufacturing — an trade largely untapped within the native market. For Zuri Jerry Atkinson, the shift from electrical work to entrepreneurship was not a part of his unique plan. However with building tasks halted and his financial savings working out, he wanted a brand new supply of revenue. A deep dive into on-line enterprise alternatives led him to a distinct segment market of {custom} tufted rugs, a craft he had by no means explored earlier than.
“I noticed some YouTube movies; I used to be looking out up learn how to become profitable on-line. Noticed some YouTube movies, reached out to somebody on YouTube, they gave me their Telegram quantity, they usually video-called me and instructed me what I would want,” Zuri Jerry Atkinson, proprietor of TR888ness rugs, instructed the Jamaica Observer as he shared his story.
With $1,200 USD, his final financial savings, Atkinson invested in two tufting weapons, a vacuum, and shears. Nonetheless, his first problem got here rapidly—{custom} duties. Unaware of the extra prices, he discovered himself unable to clear the tools.
“I purchased two tufting weapons first. Then I purchased a vacuum, the shears. After which I couldn’t clear them on the time as a result of I didn’t realise I used to be going over the {custom} duties. I didn’t learn about that stuff on the time,” he admitted.
Decided to observe by on his plan, he took a short lived job as lead electrician on a web site in Ocho Rios to earn sufficient cash to clear the gadgets. By 2022, he had formally launched his rug-making enterprise, beginning with a ’90s-inspired Tom and Jerry cartoon rug. His first sale was a pink and white canine paw rug, bought by a girl as a birthday reward for her daughter. Within the early days, he confronted challenges with pricing, as revenue margins have been small as a result of excessive price of supplies and manufacturing.
“For the primary three rugs, it was principally break-even, some losses,” mentioned Atkinson.
Later orders got here from shoe shops in Kingston, which used {custom} rugs for promoting. With constant advertising and marketing and rising demand, TR888ness Rugs started attracting consideration—not simply from clients, but in addition from native rug producers who noticed potential in his work. Recognising his early struggles, a number of trade professionals prolonged steering and help, providing tips about choosing the proper glue, cloth, and tufting weapons to excellent his craft. Nonetheless, regardless of his progress, sourcing supplies stays Atkinson’s greatest problem. The price of yarn is excessive domestically, forcing him to import provides based mostly on color availability and high quality. Delivery bills additionally add to the burden, as he typically pays additional to expedite deliveries and sustain with buyer demand. By 2023, TR888ness Rugs started exporting, however excessive delivery prices stay its greatest problem. Clients typically pay extra to import the rugs from Jamaica than they might if buying comparable merchandise domestically, making the rugs much less enticing in abroad markets the place competitors is excessive.
“If I’m going too low on the pricing, it’s principally simply protecting materials prices,” he instructed Sunday Finance.
With exporting proving troublesome, TR888ness Rugs is specializing in native growth, aiming to penetrate the Jamaican market earlier than prioritising worldwide gross sales. Whereas {custom} rugs are well-known abroad, consciousness in Jamaica stays low, presenting a chance for development. The enterprise can be concentrating on the native automotive neighborhood, recognising that automotive fans have a powerful demand for distinctive, custom-made rugs for his or her interiors. Moreover, TR888ness Rugs is increasing its affect by providing classes to show others the artwork of rug manufacturing, creating alternatives for aspiring entrepreneurs to enter the trade.
